Top 8 Best Flooring Nailer Reviews with Expert’s Recommendation

As useful the
device is, finding the right one won’t be that easy. There are so many products
in the market, and a large portion of them are quite good in quality. Singling
out one tool among all these units seems impossible at times.

But, we have
tried that and narrowed the options down to only eight. Now, it is your turn to
take it from here and choose the best flooring nailer available in the market.

Go through the
reviews along with the buyer’s guide we have provided to make the smartest
purchase.

What is a Flooring Nailer?

This is a tool
used to fasten floors by driving nails into them. It works with nail cleat.
There are two types of nailer available in the market; pneumatic and manual.

With the manual floor nailer, you have to use your muscle power for inserting the nails. And the pneumatic unit needs an air compressor for fastening. The tool might be used as an alternative for the hammer.

Our Recommended Best Flooring Nailers

These are the
products we found to be most remarkable. Go through these flooring nailer reviews to get
familiar with the top products you will find out there.

1. NuMax SFL618 Pneumatic 3-in-1 Flooring Nailer

The tool we are
talking about offers versatility in use. You can use it with staples, L-cleats,
or T-cleats. It provides a large magazine holding a maximum of 120 fasteners.
That means you won’t have to reload it frequently for working long hours.

They have made
the handle long that comes with a comfortable grip so that your hand and back
do not hurt. You will find
two base plates with the product which you can interchange. They are suitable
for both ¾ inch and ½ inch flooring. Also, there are sample staples and cleats
available with it.

But, these will
not be enough to see the job done. They have introduced these just to offer you
an opportunity to try them out.

I liked the
sturdy aluminum built unit, which isn’t much heavy, but it is very solid. Among
the accessories they provide, there are a white rubber mallet, wrenches, and
oil. These are pretty much everything you need to take care of the nailer.

However, the
drawback of this product is that it doesn’t include a case. That’s a shame,
for, without a case, you will have inconvenience in storing the accessories.
Nevertheless, its amazing performance and valuable features make it the best hardwood floor naileron
our list.

Pros

It gets along with three
types of fasteners.
This thing comes withlong
handle along with comfortable grip.
It hasinterchangeable
base plates.

Cons

It has no storage caseand isn’t suitable for industrial
work.

2. Freeman PFL618BR Pneumatic Flooring Nailer

This is a
perfect tool for getting small jobs done. It gets along with three types of
fasteners: staples, L-cleats, and T-cleats. There is a long handle in place,
along with a comfortable grip to make the work convenient.

And with its
capability of holding 120 fasteners, you are going to be working for long hours
without having to reload much.

There are some
valuable accessories provided with the tool. You will find the case useful
during travel and storage. Also, there are oil, wrenches, goggles, and a white
rubber mallet in place. And they have introduced interchangeable base plates.

However, there
is an issue with this tool. Some users complained about it getting jammed when
working on long projects. Their customer service is praiseworthy though; you
will get help when needed.

But, with
considering this issue, we wouldn’t recommend the unit for professional uses.
It is not that consistent as required in professional fields.

Pros

It has long handle with
comfy grip and works with three types of fasteners the included storage case is
great.

Cons

It can get jammed during
long projects and an automatic depth control would have been nice.

3. Freeman PFBC940 Pneumatic 4-in-1 18-Gauge Mini Flooring Nailer

This is a hardwood flooring nailer that features
a rear exhaust. We found this to be the best thing about it. For, you won’t
have to place the hands around the exhaust port anymore. However, you need to
do the placement of the exhaust yourself.

The tool comes
with 360 degrees fully adjustable exhausting capacity. This way, it allows you
to avoid the blowing of particles into the worksite.

Another worth
mentioning feature it has is the depth adjustment. With this in place, you
won’t have to go through the hassles of using hex keys for adjusting the depth
of the fasteners.

People sometimes
lose their keys. This thing will save you the trouble with an easily accessible
and perfectly placed knob. It will make sure that you have placed the staples
appropriately.

What I also
liked is the lightweight of the unit. The aluminum construction is behind this
convenience. Thus, you have an easy to use nailer. But, it could have been
better if they made the changing of the nailing base easy as well.

Pros

The 360-degree exhaust
system ensures convenience. It has an easy depth adjustment. This thing is lightweight.

Cons

It has complicated
nailing base changingandnails might bend at times.

4. BOSTITCH EHF1838K Engineered Hardwood Flooring

This stapler has a marvelous design. There isn’t any unit out there to rival it in this aspect. And if you are worried about working long hours, this little beauty will take them away. For, it’s as lightweight as you like.

And
due to this, you will be able to fasten those areas which were giving you hard
times before. Another good
thing about this stapler is that its handle is designed in such a way so that
it avoids any protrusion outwards. They have introduced a rubber grip along
with it.

In
terms of depth adjustment, they have also done a great job. They used a knob to
do the adjusting for you. The range of adjustment is quite wide, too.

What
I also liked is that it’s portable. With a lithium battery in place, you can
carry it to places with ease. Moreover, with this unit, you won’t have to face
any trouble with the machine getting jammed.

Pros

It doesn’t jam and
being lightweight it offers long hours of work without fatigue. The ergonomic
design makes it easy to use.

Cons

Height adjustment
knobs aren’t that strong.

5. Freeman PF18GLCN 18-Gauge Cleat Flooring Nailer

This
is a stapler that will provide the ultimate level of comfort while flooring
large areas. And it will get it done fast. You don’t get to see a stapler with
a holding capacity of 120 fasteners much often, do you?

Thanks
to this, you won’t get fatigued even if the work takes ridiculously long. It is
because there won’t be any repeated reloading required.

The
tool works with L-cleats, which are usually used for thick flooring. And it
gets along with cleats of multiple sizes to work with different materials. But,
it has limited uses in terms of floor types. There are only a few types of
floors it can nail, which are: Brazilian teak, bamboo, and cherry.

Especially
if it’s an exotic hardwood, the tool will ace the nailing. If you are confused about the compatibility
of the device with the floor you have, you should contact the manufacturers
beforehand. What I didn’t like about it is that it isn’t compatible with any
fasteners out there, unless they are from the same brand.

Pros

It’s easy to use
long handle saves you from fatigue. This thing features interchangeable base
plates and high fasteners holding capacity.

Cons

It doesn’t get
along with too many floor types and not compatible with fasteners other than
the brand’s ones.

6. BYNFORD HARDWOOD FLOORING STAPLER NAILER

This
stapler will save your money by being an efficient backup device. With this,
you can do the floor nailing with utmost simplicity. And in the price range it
comes, it will be hard to find such a useful tool. If your floor is 9/16 inches
deep, you will have the best performance from it.

The
tool comes with an 18-gauge narrow crown staple. What’s most impressive is its
shoe design. You can adjust it to high thickness for professional work. And the
depth control it comes with provides convenience. Additionally, you can carry
it around for long hours without getting hand fatigue, for it’s lightweight.

Moreover,
they have provided a storage case for keeping the tool safe when not working.
This device will work best on T and G flooring. Now, for getting the best
results in stapling, you have to keep a sharp eye on the groove. Otherwise,
there might be mistakes. Also, it requires you to put a little force on it.

Pros

Impressive shoe design
makes it suitable for professional jobs and lightweight for offering
convenience in long projects. The storage case is included with the unit.

Cons

You have to watch the
groove constantly during work.

7. DEWALT DWFP12569 2-N-1 Flooring Tool

This is another
professional-level tool you need to take into consideration. Its strength and
durability ought to get your attention, for there are very few units like it in
the market. For having good results in-home jobs, you will also find this unit
to be useful.

I liked the long
handles it has to offer that makes the work comfortable by protecting you from
back pain. Also, the grip is ergonomic, providing comfort for the hands.

Now, you will be
astonished to find out that this powerful stapler weighs only about 10 pounds.
Thus, you won’t have to worry at all about carrying and balancing it.
Therefore, we highly recommend this unit for long projects.

The tool works
with 15.5 gauge staples and 16 gauge cleats. But, in terms of base plate
adjustment, it comes with limited options. Therefore, the materials you work on
should be the same size as the nailer shoes.

Pros

It works with various
types of materials and is suitable for professional jobs. This guy is
lightweight with ergonomic handle and grip.

Cons

Regular maintenance is needed,
and it has limitation for the thickness of materials.

8. BOSTITCH MIIIFN 1-1/2- to 2-Inch Pneumatic Flooring Nailer

This tool will
provide a learning experience for a beginner. The convenience it offers is
unbelievable. You won’t get to see a tool that makes tricky tasks look so
simple like this unit. They have designed it in a way so that your back doesn’t
hurt during long working hours.

And you can comfortably position yourself, thanks to its ease of use. The device is extremely lightweight, weighing only about 11 pounds. This is because; they have made it with aluminum. In terms of durability, it will run a long time without giving you a hard time.

A device that
comes with professional-level usability like this is expected to be durable for
sure. Manufacturers usually provide a good warranty for such a device for
assuring the users.

I liked the fact
that they have given the base plate a bit of extra width. Thus, you will get
better control and balance. By providing you with accurate angles every time,
it provides you with quick and precise stapling.

The only thing
that might concern you is its cost. You will find it a bit expensive. But will
it be worth it? I would say, for the convenience and all these impressive
features, it would be.

Pros

It has a very simple
operation and is highly comfortable to use due to the tool being lightweight.
This thing offers consistency along with outstanding control and balance.

Cons

An efficient depth control would have been nice and it’s a bit expensive for being a professional-level tool.

Best Flooring Nailer Buying Guide

Multiple factors
determine the power of the tool as well as their efficiency. If you go for a
manual unit, you will need enough muscle power and a pneumatic device will do
the heavy tasks for you without giving your muscle a hard time.

That’s why you
will see professionals prefer this type of nailer.

You need to assess
how hard the floor is, how many hits the nailer will have to do, and how long
the cleat is. Then you should go for a tool that will serve the purpose
properly. If the wood is thicker, you need a powerful nailer with long cleats
for driving the fasteners.

Types of
Nailers

Here, we will
tell you about the different types of nailers on the market so that it can help
you make the decision.

Palm Nailer

This type of
tool is best for using in tight places. They are lightweight and flexible.

Cleat Nailer

For brittle and
hardwoods, this would be the type of nailer to go for. It can be pneumatic or
manual.

Flooring Stapler

This is the best
option for stapling woods that are not brittle. These staplers are electric,
pneumatic, and manual.

Types of
Fasteners

Here, we’ll talk
about the different types of fasteners on the market to help you get the ideal
device.

Flooring Cleat/Nail

These fasteners
will be durable, but they are quite expensive. For adjustment with contraction
and expansion of the floor, you will find them to be flexible.

Flooring Staples

This is the
cheaper option between the two. But, they lack the flexibility that the other
type offers.

You should find
yourself a tool that is compatible with the fasteners. Among other things to
watch out for are a warranty, price, and ergonomics. Also, the user’s reviews
play a vital role in determining the product’s quality.

Flooring Nailer vs. Stapler

These two tools
cannot be interchanged, as some people seem to think. They might offer a
similar type of service, but they are different.

Nailer

This tool does
the fastening by using cleat nails. There are two types of nailers available in
the market. These are pneumatic and manual. With these tools, the amount of
pressure to be applied will depend on the thickness of the flooring.

Stapler

Apart from
coming in two different types as nailers, there are also electric units
available for flooring staplers. They do the fastening by using staples. The
two prongs of the staples fasten the floor into a subfloor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need anything other than a flooring nailer for installing hardwood flooring?

Ans: Apart from a flooring nailer, you might need a finishing nailer as well. In installing the first and last rows, it will be useful.

Q: Where should I buy a flooring nailer from?

Ans: You could buy from the manufacturer’s website or local dealers. And to get the best replacement policy, you can check out online retailers.

Q: How does a flooring nailer work?

Ans: Once you hit the actuator by using a mallet, the flooring nailer fires nail to fasten the floor.

Q: Should I choose cleat nails or staples?

Ans: It will depend on the nature of the flooring. However, it would be cool to go for a device that comes with both types of fasteners.

Q: What does a warranty cover against when it comes to flooring nailers?

Ans: It covers against workmanship and material defects. Sometimes, you temporarily get repairs and replacement when any parts wear out.

Final Words

Hope the article
was beneficial in finding you the best
flooring nailerthe market has to offer. If you liked any
particular product, go through the pros and cons it comes with. Then you can
decide whether it will be worth it or not.

Let us know your
thoughts on our recommendations in the comment section below.